Second stage demand breathing regulator

• US 5,343,858 A
• Filed: 03/01/1993
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: U.S. Divers Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: U.S. Divers Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Winefordner, Carl, Hermansen, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/024,667
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/204.26, 128/205.24
• US Class Current: 128/204.26
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/022 Breathing demand regulators SCUBA diving regulators B63C11/22
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence

Abstract

A second stage demand regulator is disclosed which has a regulator body with a spring loaded poppet valve mounted therein. A diaphragm mounted in said regulator body responds to pressure differentials to provide demand breathing gas to a user in communication with the regulator. The demand valving function is provided by the spring loaded poppet having a lever in contact with the poppet and the diaphragm. Upon acutation of the diaphragm, a greater mechanical advantage is initially provided to the lever through a point of contact with an operating surface that is closer to the axis of rotation than a second point of contact.

Claims

1. A regulator for demand regulation of air or breathing gas comprising:

a regulator body;

a valve body mounted within said regulator body;

a diaphragm in said regulator body which responds to pressure differentials on either side of said diaphragm;

a breathing gas chamber in communication with said diaphragm and also in communication with at least one exhaust valve;

spring loaded poppet means within said valve body for valving gas into said regulator body; and

,

lever means in contact with said diaphragm having a lateral arm portion with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the lateral arm portion for movement about its axis by said lever movement and in contact with said poppet means distally from said diaphragm, said lateral arm portion being in contact with a fixed operating surface the surface of said lever lateral arm portion contacting said fixed operating surface cooperatively forming an interface between them providing at least a first and second point of contact as it moves through its axis of rotation wherein said lever lateral arm portion provides a greater mechanical advantage of movement when contacting said fixed operating surface at said first point of contact in its initial movement by said diaphragm and a lesser mechanical advantage at said second point of contact after initial movement during inhalation.

2. The regulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said poppet means comprise a valve seat; and

,

said valve body comprises a valve edge against which said valve seat can be seated.

3. The regulator as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said lever'"'"'s greater mechanical advantage is provided by said lateral arm rotating through its axis of rotation and having a surface with said first and second points of contact for engaging said fixed operating surface.

4. The regulator as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said lateral arm of said lever is provided with a first contact point; and

,

a second contact point is provided further removed from the first contact point with respect to the axis of rotation of the lateral arm.

5. The regulator as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said further contact point is at the outer surface of said lateral arm.

6. The regulator as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

said valve body has an opening centrally oriented to a breathing gas outlet.

7. The regulator as claimed in claim 6 wherein:

said diaphragm has a first rounded plate interiorly thereof for contacting said lever;

a second plate external therefrom having at least three sides thereto;

a connecting portion between said plates passing through said diaphragm having at least three sides therethrough; and

,

an indentation in said diaphragm for receiving the outer plate therein.

8. The regulator as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said lateral arm has a groove across its axis; and

,

said groove engages said fixed operating surface of said valve body.

9. The regulator as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said groove of said lateral portion of the lever arm is formed through the cross section of said lateral arm; and

,

a second surface is formed intersecting said first surface at a distance less than the radius of the first groove.

10. The regulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a cover overlying said exhaust valves having at least two tabs thereon;

grooves within said regulator body for receiving said tabs; and

wherein,

said cover is of sufficient resiliency to allow for spring loaded engagement of said tabs within the grooves of said regulator body.

11. The regulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said exhaust valves are mounted in the regulator body within two respective walls which are angled to each other.

12. A demand regulator for regulating gas from a higher pressure to a pressure suitable for breathing comprising:

a regulator body having a valve body mounted therein;

a spring loaded poppet valve for valving gas from a higher pressure to a lower pressure;

a diaphragm which responds to a user'"'"'s inhalation by moving into the regulator body; and

,

linkage means between said diaphragm and said poppet valve for movement of said poppet comprising a lever having a portion in contact with the diaphragm and a lateral arm having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the lateral arm portion defining rotational movement of said lateral arm through its axis and in contact with said poppet valve said lateral arm further having a first contacting surface and a second contacting surface distally removed from the first contacting surface with respect to its axis of rotation.

13. A new and improved regulator for regulating a source of breathing gas from a higher pressure to a lower pressure for a user on a demand basis comprising:

a regulator body having a chamber in communication with an outlet to a breather and further providing at least one exhaust valve in communication with said chamber and outlet;

a diaphragm mounted in said regulator body having an interior portion exposed to said chamber;

a valve body mounted within said regulator body;

a spring loaded poppet mounted within said valve body having a valve seat thereon for sealing gases through said valve body at one end and a spring at the other end for causing said poppet to be seated in its normal position;

a lever with a lateral arm extending from said poppet from the lateral arm thereof into said chamber for contacting said diaphragm and having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the lateral arm portion, said lateral arm oriented to said lever for movement about said lateral arm'"'"'s axis of rotation when moved by said lever;

means for causing said lateral arm to engage said poppet at one portion thereof; and

,

at least two contact points on said lateral arm comprised of a first and second point wherein said second point is distal from said first point as to the axial orientation of said lateral arm and which engage a surface for movement of said poppet when the respective points contact said engagement surface.

14. The regulator as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

said poppet is adjusted as to pressure by an adjustment screw against which its spring seats, which threadedly engages said valve body.

15. The regulator body as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

the engagement surface for said lateral arm comprises a member extending across said lateral arm.

16. The regulator as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

said engagement surface comprises a pin.

17. The regulator as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

at least two contact points of said lateral member of said lever are formed by a groove within said lateral member having two intersecting surfaces wherein the intersection forms the first point of contact and a distal contact point is formed from said first point.